Gary Bedore’s KU basketball notebook

Kansas University at one time this season was referred to as a "soft team."

No longer, as evidenced by the Jayhawks' 6-1 record in games decided by four points or less.

"The first day I was at KU, I got fouled hard, the whole team came over and helped me up. I was like, 'I'm good,'" said Russell Robinson, who grew up playing on the cement courts of New York.

"We all care for each other, but you get knocked down now, you might not get helped up, this time," he added. "They say, 'Get up. Suck it up.'

"We definitely have a different huddle than my freshman year," Robinson added. "Guys show more aggression - more than the past."

Asked who helped him up the first time he was knocked down, he grinned and said: "A. Miles," referring to point guard deluxe and one of his role models, Aaron Miles.

¢ Collins OK: KU freshman Sherron Collins, who has been suffering from tendinitis in his left knee, said Friday he was ready to play.

"It's fine. I just had to get it loose," Collins said. "It's not bad at all. It's all right."

¢ Brown in town: Philadelphia 76ers executive Larry Brown, who coached at both KU and UCLA, will attend today's game.

"I haven't talked to Larry about it," KU coach Bill Self said of Brown's team of choice. "But since we're probably the ones getting him the tickets, I think he should be for Kansas."

Self was a grad assistant on Brown's 1986 Final Four team.

"Knowing coach, he won't cheer either way. I mean I only worked for him a year," Self said. "But he's really proud of both places. I think UCLA was a place he loved, and I know Kansas was as well. He's been a couple of places. He's got some things to judge it against. I think he may be secretly involved trying to cheer on one team or another, but I don't see him being actively involved."

UCLA coach Ben Howland said: "I'm sure he'll be rooting for Bill out of friendship and deference to a former assistant coach."

¢ You can go home again: KU assistant Kurtis Townsend was born and raised in San Jose, Calif., site of tonight's game. His brother, Raymond, was a star player at UCLA and will attend today's game.

"He assured me he'd cheer for Kansas because I left him tickets," Kurtis said of Raymond, who runs a school for disadvantaged youth in San Jose.

"He has a big heart," Kurtis said.

Asked if it was a thrill for today's Elite Eight game to be played in his hometown, Kurtis Townsend said: "Yes, I just wish my mother was here. She passed away four years ago. We all would meet at the Final Four every year. She loved this time of year."

Townsend's dad will be on hand today.

¢ All in the family: KU senior associate athletic director Larry Keating said he had no mixed emotions about today's game. His son, Kerry, is an assistant at UCLA.

"I am rooting for us. I'm telling you now I have no qualms," Larry said. "He knows that. His mother knows that. He has 30 years to go to the Final Four. We have a couple left."

"It's nice our family will have somebody go there," Kerry Keating said of the Final Four. "I guarantee you there will be a Keating at the Final Four. We won't be disappointed either way."